Application Materials

Thank you for your interest in applying to the Curtis Institute of Music. The application, all required supporting documents, and $150 application fee must be submitted online by the December 11, 2017, deadline to avoid an additional $75 late fee. An additional nonrefundable audition fee of $150 ($50 for screened departments, payable in U.S. dollars) is to be paid at the time the applicant is notified of an audition date. This fee must be received by Curtis before the applicant is permitted to audition.

It is understood and agreed that the filling of an application does not obligate the Curtis Institute of Music to provide an audition.

The Curtis Institute of Music does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, sex, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law against any applicant seeking admission.

All admitted students are awarded a merit-based full-tuition scholarship. The applicant, if accepted, assumes full responsibility for all other expenses.

If admitted, the student grants to Curtis the right to photograph and record, use, copy, and/or broadcast by audio and/or video transmission all of the student's (1) performances at Curtis and (2) classes at Curtis. Broadcasts may be used for up to five years after the student's graduation or withdrawal.

ABOUT THE PROCESS

You will be asked to create a user name and password, which will allow you to save your application before submission. After completing and submitting your application, you will be able to download and view it.

for voice and opera applicants: a description of professional experience, if any, including roles and dates performed, names of performing organizations, nonoperatic musical activities, and dramatic training and experience.

a list of composers and works, including technical studies, that you have studied intensively and consider a part of your repertoire

An uploadable copy of your most recent academic transcript

At least one uploadable copy of a concert or recital program in which you have participated (featuring your name)

Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, Professional Studies Certificate, and Diploma in Opera applicants who are not native speakers of English: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the SAT I. Scores due June 1, 2018.

ApplICATION AVAILABLE BY EARLY FALL 2017.

Screening Materials

All applicants in bassoon, clarinet, composition, conducting, double bass, flute, horn, piano, trombone, trumpet, violin, voice and opera are required to submit screening materials online in order to be considered for an invitation to audition in person. There is a $100 screening fee (in addition to the $150 application fee), payable to Curtis to complete the application; if the applicant is invited for live audition, this screening fee will apply as credit towards the $150 audition fee (due by the department's audition date).

Bassoon

Applicants must submit a video recording containing the following:

the first movement of one of the following concertos: Mozart, Weber or Hummel.

one etude of the applicant's choice.

one standard orchestral excerpt of the applicant's choice.

Clarinet

the exposition of the first movement of the Mozart concerto (with piano accompaniment)

Composition

Applicants may submit scores and accompanying recordings for up to three compositions. Submissions of orchestral and large ensemble compositions are encouraged but are not required.

Conducting

Applicants must submit a high-quality audio-visual recording by December 12, 2016 as follows:

Include three to four excerpts showing various musical styles from standard orchestral, operatic, and contemporary works. The excerpts can be derived from performances or rehearsals, and the entire recording should not exceed 20 minutes in length.

The recording must be representative of the applicant’s current work.

The applicant must be clearly visible.

Double Bass

Applicants should prepare a five to ten minute video recording of a work or works that best exhibits their skills. The choice should be similar to, but not limited to the full Double Bass audition repertoire.

Flute

Applicants should prepare a video recording of (at least) one movement from each of 3 contrasting pieces. Works with piano (or other instrumental) accompaniment should be performed with piano accompaniment.

Horn

Applicants should prepare video recordings of the following. Each work should be one uninterrupted recording.

The exposition from R. Strauss's Concerto No. 1

The second movement opening solo from Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5

The opening to rehearsal #1 from R. Strauss's Till Eulenspiegel

Piano

Applicants should prepare video recordings (keyboard in view) of the following. Movements may be individual recordings, but each movement should be one uninterrupted recording.

one slow and one fast selection from the works of Chopin for solo piano (no works of Chopin for piano and orchestra will be acceptable)

Trombone

Applicants should prepare video recordings (unaccompanied) of the following. Each work should be one uninterrupted recording.

one movement from a concerto, sonata, or other substantial solo work.

one technical étude by Kopprasch, Tyrell, or Blazhevich.

one lyrical étude by Bordogni, Rochut, or the equivalent.

at least three orchestral excerpts of contrasting style.

Trumpet

Applicants should prepare a video recording between 10-15 minutes in length containing the following:

one solo work (not for piccolo trumpet), either a movement of a standard concerto or sonata (not to exceed 8 minutes) or a single movement solo work (not to exceed 8 minutes). Longer works, or individual movements recorded with cuts are acceptable.

three contrasting standard orchestral excerpts.

Violin

Applicants should submit a video (recorded in 2016) of the following. Movements may be individual recordings, but each movement should be one uninterrupted recording; please include at least one slow tempo movement:

1. One movement from a Mozart concerto.

2. One movement from another standard repertoire concerto.

3. Two movements from a Bach solo sonata or partita.

4. A Paganini caprice.

Voice/Opera

Applicants should prepare an audio or video recording of three repertoire selections that show contrast in musical styles and tempos: songs or opera arias for undergraduate program applicants and only opera arias for the graduate program. The recording for screening should include accompaniment. Please make certain the recording is of good quality, as the granting of a live audition will depend upon this. Applicants will be notified of decisions regarding live auditions by mid-January.